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Chris's School Journal Male, 29 years
Introduction Hi. I was a computer technician before deciding to switch my career to truck driving. It just seems like the kind of lifestyle that would satisfy me. My father is an O/O and after riding along with him a few times, I was drawn in by the call of the road. I have chosen to attend the Commercial Truck Driving School at West Central Technical College in Carrollton, GA., and I will keep you updated on my progress throughout the 8 week period of training and possibly beyond.
We have just completed our second week of training. Six weeks to go! So far, it has been all classroom work. The first couple of days was mainly getting physicals, MVRs, and registrations complete. The instructors also gave us the syllabus for the course so we will know what we are doing and when. Overall, I am impressed with the program. The cost is reasonable (about $1700, covered 100% by the Georgia Hope Grant). My classmates are as varied as can be. Men and women, black and white, ages 18 to 57 from all kinds of different backgrounds and career fields. Both of the instructors are former drivers and they appear to be very knowledgeable about the subject matter. They teach from experience, not just from the book. Our class is a little larger than I would like it to be, about 14 students to two instructors, but there is talk of them bringing in another instructor from another school for driving instruction.
WEEK 1 Our coursework began with logbooks. A little confusing at first, but after keeping a book for two weeks, it has become like tying my shoes. No problem. After the log books, we split our time between the FMC Regulations book and pre-trip procedure. After about three days of practice, I think I have the pre-trip down.
WEEK 2 All this week has been CDL manual and safety films. Don't get me wrong. I agree that the information contained in these safety videos is something that we will use and remember for as long as we drive, but some of the people in the videos have about as much charisma and personality as a boiled egg. It's tough to stay awake sometimes. We will be taking CDL tests at our local State Patrol office on Thursday. I, like many others in class, plan to take all the endorsements while there. May as well, I guess. Pending the outcome of the tests, we will begin range driving next Monday. I am very much looking forward to that! -
Chris
Got the
License!
All this week, we have been studying up for the CDL tests and today, we finally took them. I am so jazzed that we will be out of the classroom and on the range from now on. The test was an adventure. The lady manning the State Patrol license post was a little less than accommodating. She complained to anyone who would listen. She didn't like the fact that the school was sending us to her post as opposed to any other post. She kept talking to me about it as though I would feel pity for her because she had to her job and drive 40 miles back up the road to wait in line all evening at the Villa Rica post. No way, toots! From start to finish, I was at the post for only 2 hours. Not too bad for license testing! I took the General Knowledge, air brakes, combination vehicles, hazmat, doubles/triples, tankers, and passenger tests. I passed them all! About 96% of the questions were word for word from our study guides. I was surprised to see that. I thought it would be totally re-worded or it would cover material that I haven't even seen before.
We had a recruiter from Covenant Transport come in and speak to us this morning before testing. From what I have read about them and what the recruiter had to say, it seems like a pretty decent company. Tomorrow, we will see the recruiter from McElroy Truck Lines out of Cuba, AL. After he promises us the world, we start straight line backing on the range.
Until next time, Chris
Finally
Driving
Today, we were paid a visit by the recruiter from McElroy Truck Lines. Seems like a decent little company. Higher pay than most carriers, but fewer miles. After the recruiter left, we started driving on the range! It was my first time really driving a big truck. Upon entering the range, we were instructed to take a truck, pull it to the side of the range, and hook up a trailer! Pretty tall order for people who have never driven before, I thought. I took a truck and drove around the range to the trailers and backed under the assigned trailer. I hooked it up with no problems. Not as hard as I had imagined! I felt as though I had conquered the world just by hooking a trailer!
After lunch, we began straight line backing. My first time, I bent a few cones. However, after doing about five backs across the range, I had it down. I tried it with both the 53' van and the 48' flatbed. By no means have I mastered it, but I think I have the hang of it. Not only did I learn how to drop/hook trailers and straight line back, I also learned that the air brake system on a truck will stand you on your face and letting the clutch out too soon will cause the truck to dig a hole in the asphalt! (I didn't do that one). Can't wait for next week!
Until next time, Chris
First Day Out
All week, we have been on the range practicing sight side and blind side parallel parking, 45 degree alley dock, and straight backing and pull-up. Finally, today, we got to go out on the road! We went out three to a truck plus one instructor. Each driver got about 10-15 miles on some of the local roads, so we had plenty of practice shifting and driving in traffic. I was the second student to drive. When it came to be my turn, the adrenaline had already been flowing for quite a while. I was pumped and nervous at the same time. I was so ready to go, I forgot to buckle up! After a gentle reminder from my instructor, we were off!
Controlling the truck was rather easy. It was, of course, the shifting that gave us problems. I missed a few gears starting out and stalled the truck once at a light, but I eventually got the hang of it and shifted properly for the remainder of my driving time. Our road trucks have Super 10's, so that adds to the stress (depending on who you ask). One instructor loves it and the other will quickly let you know what a pain it is. I find that I like it because it cuts your clutch and gear work by half, but it will take time to master. No real surprises on this trip out, but that is a good thing for a first-timer.
Until next time, Chris
Gear grinding
I have been out driving on the road about five times since my last post. I started out having trouble shifting, but now I feel confident that I can do it well. Then, on my second time out, they spring this down shifting thing on me. Just when I thought I had it down! The first day we concentrated on down shifting, I think I left a trail of gear teeth leading to our school. Since then, I have learned it fairly well.
The new instructor came in on Monday and he seems to be a pretty cool guy. He knows his stuff and brings several years of working experience with him. He is also very patient which makes him easy to ride with. Not too much to report other than my first close call in a big truck! We were in a four-lane divided highway and I passed a slow moving vehicle on the left. While returning to the right lane, signal on and STUDENT DRIVER in huge letters on the back of the trailer, some idiot in a pickup truck shot around me on the right. I had my right wheels already in the lane! Pretty scary for a new driver. I guess some people just won't learn until they get run over.
Next week is night driving, then mountain driving day trips the week after that. Then, test week. Seems like the farther into the class we get, the faster the end comes. I dread not going to class anymore. The people in my class are a great bunch of folks. All good people.
Until next time, Chris
Night driving
and Day trip
Since my last post, we have completed our course of night driving and our day trip to NE Georgia. Night driving is a whole different monster altogether. However, I think I prefer it to driving during the day. Luckily, I was able to draw for three nights and one day trip. The night driving works like this: three trucks go out. Three drivers per truck. We go from Carrollton, GA to Cedartown, GA via backroads and highways to a pre-chosen restaurant where we have dinner and cut-up for about an hour. One driver drives there, one drives back, and one goes out alone with the instructor afterwards along a different route. Each driver gets about 40-50 miles. Not too bad. I got really lucky in that I got to drive all three trucks along all three different routes. Pretty uneventful except for a near miss with a possum in Whitesburg at quarter after midnight.
The day trip was today. We went from Carrollton to Carnesville. I drove first so I got to get my leg exercise by sitting in morning rush hour traffic on I-20 and I-285. We went up to the Petro in Carnesville, GA, had lunch, and came back. Pretty much by the book and rather uneventful. I am beginning to notice that everyone is progressively getting better and that is making for uneventful driving. Actually, that is a good thing. Testing and graduation is next week. School is almost over. {:(
Until next time, Chris
Nearing the
End
We started testing today. First, the FMC regulations written test. Not too bad. I scored a 97%. We also took a test put together by the instructors that included several general knowledge questions, an air brake diagram, and we had to plan and chart a trip from Atlanta to St. Louis including log entries. I didn't get my score before I left, but I am confident that I did well. I was able to get one last shot at the skills set on the range today. I wish they had been scoring me because it was one of the few times that I nailed every maneuver. I am confident and ready. I have been speaking with several companies regarding employment. I am leaning towards Roehl Transport. It seems to be a well-run company with decent pay, miles, and benefits. Everyone I have spoken with personally and on the discussion boards has had mostly positive things to say. I guess I'll find out soon enough.
Until next time, Chris
Testing and
Graduation
It has finally come to an end. This week, I took my range test and road test, and I have passed! I dropped 4 points on the range (2 each on blind side and sight side parallel). I got perfect scores on the straight back and 45 degree alley dock. Not too bad. On the road test, I dropped four points also. Two for curbing once on the left and once on the right, one for not returning to the right lane after a right turn on a four-lane road, and one for not turning on my flashers at a RR crossing for a Hazmat stop. Again, not too bad. I was a little let down because the mistakes I made were stupid and I knew better than to make them, but hey, I passed. In a year from now, I probably won't remember those mistakes.
Our graduation ceremony was today. We had a get together for family where we had a small truck skills rodeo, pizza for lunch, and a small ceremony. I went straight from the school to the State Patrol Office in Villa Rica, GA. to get my license. I forgot that I had to re-take the Hazmat test! I took it and passed, but missed a few questions. Hey, it's been six weeks since I opened the book! I don't know what it is with license examiners. They are among the most miserable people on the face of the earth! Would it break your face to crack a smile and carry on some light banter?
Anyhoo, I am going to miss going to school everyday and cutting up with my instructors and classmates. Luckily, some of my classmates are joining Roehl Transport with me. Hopefully, we can go through orientation and Phase II training together. School has been a great experience that I will remember for the rest of my life. Everyone seemed to bond almost immediately. I feel that I can call my classmates friends. The instructors, James and Harry, are first rate. They are patient and they know their stuff! And to Randel, Tracy, Wayne, Daniel, Kevin, Douglas, Fred, Monica, Hurley, Howard, Christy, and Richard the "Cedartown Flash", good luck, be safe, and I'll see you out on the road.
Graduation
photo
The school has posted our graduation group photo. I am the guy in the back row wearing the white shirt with the stupid grin on my face. Go to this address to view the horror firsthand: http://www.westcentral.org/cdl_truck_driving_graduation.html
Started work
I have finally started my driving career with Roehl Transport out of Marshfield, WI. On the week of May 27th, two of my driving school classmates and I drove from Atlanta, GA to Marshfield, WI in a rental car. The company paid for the car and put us up in a nice motel.
On Tuesday, we started orientation at the main terminal. After producing the proper documents, learning about "The Smith System", receiving a ton of papers, and getting a physical and drug test, we were allowed to drive on their range. We were told to practice upshifting and downshifting. After doing this all day, one of the training personnel came to our truck. He got in and directed us towards the front gate. Without warning, we were beginning our road test! This upset some of the drivers, but most of us were cool with it. No warning means no nerves! I passed my driving test fairly easily only being admonished for my lack of downshifting prowess and not looking at my right mirror often enough.
Three days later and after filling out an endless stream of paperwork, we were assigned trainers. What luck! My trainer is out of Ellijay, GA. That's about an hour north of my home. I met my trainer at the terminal on Friday afternoon. Just by our introductions, I could tell he was going to be a pleasure to drive with because of his laid back personality and good sense of humor. We left out of Marshfield, WI on Friday evening going to pick up 40,000 pounds of rolled paper (10 rolls at 4,000 lbs. apiece) in Nekoosa, WI bound for Ft. Wayne, IN. I have learned something already: Pulling a heavy load is a different drive altogether! In school, our trailers were filled with about 5,000 lbs. of tires for weight.
The entire trip was rather uneventful as far as excitement goes. But that's the way I like it. No surprises, no stress. Our stops for the week included Ft. Wayne, IN, Gary, IN, Defiance, OH (beautiful farm country), Knoxville, TN, Chattanooga, TN, Decatur, GA, Ellenwood, GA, Orlando, FL, Rincon, GA, and Sarasota, FL. We got back home for 3 days off on Friday night. I like Roehl's version of three days off. Get home Friday night, stay off through Monday, and report back on Tuesday morning. Eight days down and twelve to go for Phase 1 training.
Until next time, Chris
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